(Bank Ursine, Bear's Breeches, Oak Leaf Bear's Breeches)

This cultivar of the popular bear’s breech has bigger leaves that are more deeply lobed, almost oak-like. It is an interesting Old World perennial that has a coarse upright habit that adds texture to sunny gardens. Bear's breech is quite hardy and summer-blooming. It is native to regions in southwestern Europe, though it has been in cultivation for a long time.

The deeply lobed, coarse leaves are rich dark green and form large rosettes. In summer, it produces tall upright spikes of two-lipped,...

(Bank Ursine, Bear's Breeches, Tasmanian Angel ™ Bear's Breeches, Variegated Bear's Breeches)

This interesting Old World perennial has a coarse upright habit that adds texture to sunny gardens. Bear's breeches is quite hardy and summer-blooming. It is native to regions in southwestern Europe, though it has been in cultivation for a long time.

The long, sharply lobed, coarse leaves of bear’s breeches are deep green and form large, showy rosettes. In summer, tall, upright spikes of two-lipped, tubular maroon and white flowers are produced. Once spent, the old blooms should be cut back to...

(Mountain Thistle)

This shrubby, spreading, semi-evergreen to evergreen perennial bears spiny, leathery leaves that are sharply divided and have attractive silver markings. For most, this native of West Africa is less of an ornamental and more of a weed. Mountain thistle is adapted to the forest understory and grassy fields, so it grows well in sunny and shaded locations.

Tall, upright spikes of pinkish tubular flowers appear from summer to fall. These are highly attractive to bees. Spent flower spikes should...

(Armed Bear's Breeches, Spiny Bear's Breeches)

Spiny acanthus is a clump-forming, evergreen to semi-evergreen perennial native to southern Europe. It is a bold, old-fashioned perennial that offers tall spikes of interesting flowers of maroon and ivory as well as interesting rosettes of deeply lobed, coarsely edged, dark green leaves that look good through the season.

From late spring to midsummer it becomes topped with spikes of bicolored white and maroon-purple flowers subtended by dark green bracts. The flowers are very attractive to bees....

(Spiny Bear's Breeches)

Spiny acanthus is a clump-forming, evergreen to semi-evergreen perennial native to southern Europe. It is a bold, old-fashioned perennial that offers tall spikes of interesting flowers of maroon and ivory as well as interesting rosettes of deeply lobed, coarsely edged, dark green leaves that look good through the season.

From late spring to midsummer it becomes topped with spikes of bicolored white and maroon-purple flowers subtended by dark green bracts. The flowers are very attractive to bees....

(Big-leaf Maple, Oregon Maple, Pacific Maple)

This immense deciduous tree bears the largest leaves of all maple species and is spectacular when it turns golden in the fall. It is counted among the few true western native maples, its range extending from foothills of Alaska to southern California and eastward to the Sierra Nevada Mountains. It is nearly always found in conjunction with streams and creeks. In warmer regions it grows at the base of north-facing slopes where perpetual shade and summer dampness support its need for moisture during...

(Bloodgood Japanese Maple, Japanese Maple)

The beautiful and ubiquitous Japanese maple is a small, deciduous tree native to eastern Asia. Its cultivar 'Bloodgood' features deeply lobed, palmate (hand-shaped) leaves which emerge purple-red in spring, deepen to burgundy-red in summer, and turn fiery tones in fall. In winter, the stark gray branches will add to any garden or landscape.

One of the hardiest cultivars of Japanese maple (to zone 5), 'Bloodgood' prefers sites with rich, well-drained soil and part sun to part shade. It is versatile...

(Appleblossom Yarrow, Hybrid Yarrow)

'Appleblossom' displays a profusion of large, rose pink flowerheads on vigorous, compact plants throughout summer. Bred in Germany, this hybrid is a member of the popular Galaxy Series, which were developed by crossing common yarrow (Achillea millefolium) with the yellow-flowered Achillea ‘Taygetea’. It forms a healthy clump of fine, ferny, green foliage which spreads more politely than that of common yarrow. Its dense, flattened flower clusters are displayed on sturdy stems...

(Coronation Gold Yarrow, Hybrid Yarrow)

This big, beautiful yarrow displays large, flattened platters of golden yellow flowers which seem to float above healthy clumps of silvery, aromatic, finely divided foliage. The long-lasting flowers appear on tall, slender stems from late spring to early summer, and are attractive to butterflies. ‘Coronation Gold’ is thought to be a cross between the species Achillea filipendula and Achillea clypeolata.

Grow this easy, drought-tolerant perennial in full sun and well-drained...

(Hybrid Yarrow, Mary Ann Yarrow)

This lovely yarrow displays many flat-topped clusters of pale lemon-yellow flowers from late spring to midsummer. The blooms rise on slender, compact stems above spreading clumps of finely divided, fernlike, silvery foliage, and are attractive to butterflies.

‘Mary Ann’ grows easily in full sun and well-drained soil of average fertility. Faded flower stems may be cut to the ground after blooming to maintain a neat appearance. Yarrow is suitable for mixed borders and cottage-style gardens,...